Management at Biotech Engineering held a series meetings at the factory in Dunleer, Co Louth, as union leaders prepared to make a last-ditch bid to save some of the threatened jobs.

Siptu said its members at the plant reacted angrily over plans to shut the site.

Union organiser John King said it was devastating for the workers concerned and warned that the closure would have far reaching consequences across Louth.

Mr King said workers and management have been engaged in extensive talks for several weeks after a cost-cutting programme was overwhelmingly rejected by the workforce in a secret ballot before Christmas.

"The package in totality was unacceptable to the workers, who are already low paid, earning less than the average industrial wage, while the Glen Dimplex Group is very profitable," Mr King said.

"This is a devastating blow to the workers and to the Louth area."

The company is a subsidiary of Glen Dimplex, the world's largest electrical heating business, which has an annual turnover of €1.5bn.

Mr King said the cost-cutting programme would have involved some lay-offs and 20pc pay cuts.